Since the Taliban regained power in the past two years, the primary concern for countries in the region and neighboring Afghanistan, particularly Iran, has been the problem of terrorism and radicalism under this regime’s administration. These terrorist groups have fought alongside the Taliban and, in some instances, independently of the group against the United States, its allies, and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan over the past two decades. Terrorist networks have demonstrated their ability to plan and execute destructive terrorist attacks from Afghan soil against regional and global nations.
The collapse of the nation and the subsequent resurgence of the Taliban did not result in the elimination or assimilation of terrorist and radical organizations that had been allied with this group for many years. These groups have not been brought under the control or influence of the Taliban, and divisions and disagreements between them persist.
There have been reports regarding the ongoing operations of terrorist organizations and their tangible existence during the rule of the Taliban. One such group that poses a direct threat to the security of the region and is deemed a risk to Iran’s national security is the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K). This apprehension and anxiety are evident in the actions, statements, and policies of Iranian leaders and politicians towards the Taliban.
The two nations are mutually influenced by one another’s progress as they share a border spanning over 900 kilometers. Iran has experienced direct consequences from the occurrences within the neighboring country over the past few decades. Various factors such as drug trafficking, the influx of both legal and illegal immigrants, insecurity, border and water disputes, as well as concerns regarding terrorism and radicalism have compelled individuals in Iran to closely observe the situation in the neighboring country.
Islamic State-Khorasan
ISIS-K has emerged as the primary adversary to the Taliban regime over the past two years. This group has conducted numerous suicide operations targeting the people of Afghanistan, particularly the Hazaras and Taliban leaders. In terms of ideology, ISIS-K stands in stark contrast to the Islamic Republic of Iran and has openly expressed hostility towards Iran since its inception. Iran’s opposition to this group in Syria and Iraq has further fueled their animosity, leading to retaliatory actions by the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS) against Iran. The defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq has resulted in the dispersal of their forces to neighboring regions, notably Afghanistan.
Tehran has consistently cautioned the Taliban regime about the existence of ISIS. Following the Taliban’s takeover of the country, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, during his visit to Tajikistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference in September 2021, stated, “Iran will not permit ISIS to establish a presence on its border.” Contrary to the President’s expectations, it appears that ISIS-K is actively operating in Afghanistan, which serves as a warning for Iran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in an interview with the ISNA news agency, revealed that “ISIS leaders and trained forces have been relocated from Iraq, Syria, and parts of Libya to Afghanistan in recent months.” However, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson responded to the Iranian foreign minister’s statement by claiming that ISIS-K in Afghanistan has “lost its capacity for destruction.” Evidently, the crisis posed by terrorist groups in the country is severe and has expanded its reach throughout the region.
According to Mohammad Reza Bahrami, the former ambassador of Iran in Afghanistan, the agreement between the United States and the Taliban, as well as the withdrawal of US forces, has caused a change in the nature of the Afghanistan crisis. The focus of threats in the region has shifted, and naturally, the burden of containing and confronting these groups falls on the region, including Iran. Recent discussions about the danger of ISIS-K in Afghanistan align with Iran’s concerns, as reports indicate that this group is actively present in the country. A study conducted by the American Institute of Peace, published on June 7 of this year, identifies ISIS-K as the primary terrorist threat to the region.
The Taliban: From Iran’s Former Partner to Present-Day Opponent
During the two decades of the Western-led effort, spearheaded by the United States, to combat terrorism in Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran engaged in a duplicitous approach. This nation maintained a close association with the Taliban group, consistently being accused of destabilizing the western regions of Afghanistan, particularly the provinces of Herat and Farah. By supporting the Taliban, Iranian leaders aimed to deter international forces from approaching their border. Consequently, Iran provided the necessary resources and support to the Taliban in their fight against the United States. Simultaneously, Iran also played a significant and influential role in the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Despite Iran’s decision to hand over the Afghan embassy in Tehran to Taliban diplomats on February 29, 2023, it has become evident over the past two years that the Taliban cannot be considered a trustworthy party. The increasing tension between the two sides, particularly in regards to water disputes and border conflicts, has demonstrated that the approach of cooperating and engaging with the Taliban has not yielded positive results. There have been multiple clashes between the Taliban and Iranian border forces in the past two years.
The Taliban’s Struggle to Combat Terrorist Groups in Afghanistan
Over the past two years, it has become evident that the Taliban lacks the capability to effectively combat and eradicate terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. The widespread destructive actions carried out by extremist groups, particularly ISIS-K, throughout the country have exposed the Taliban’s weaknesses in dealing with such threats. In fact, the Taliban’s ascent to power has inadvertently provided a supportive environment for terrorist groups, enabling their operations within Afghanistan. The Taliban’s leniency towards these groups has raised concerns for neighboring countries, particularly Iran. Iran’s primary apprehension regarding the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan revolves around the issue of terrorism and the ongoing activities of ISIS-K, which the Taliban have yet to successfully address.
